[5423] in cryptography@c2.net mail archive
Rep. Barr will hold hearings on Echelon this fall.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (John Gilmore)
Sat Aug 21 18:22:46 1999
To: ann_harrison@cw.com, cryptography@c2.net, gnu@toad.com
Date: Wed, 18 Aug 1999 14:56:51 -0700
From: John Gilmore <gnu@toad.com>
http://www.house.gov/barr/p_081699.html
(Search his web site for "Echelon" for more press releases. --gnu)
Forwarded-by: Paul Wolf <paulwolf@icdc.com>
HOUSE COMMITTEE TO HOLD PRIVACY HEARINGS
BARR OBTAINS COMMITMENT FROM GOVERNMENT REFORM
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Representative Bob Barr (GA-7) announced today
House Government Reform and Oversight Committee Chairman Dan Burton
(R-IN) has agreed to hold hearings this fall on government surveillance
programs, such as the National Security Agency's reported "Project
Echelon." On several occasions, Barr has expressed concerns that both
foreign and domestic surveillance operations may be violating the
privacy rights of American citizens.
Earlier this year, Barr successfully amended the FY 2000 Foreign
Intelligence Authorization Act to require the Department of Justice, the
National Security Agency, and the Central Intelligence Agency to submit
to Congress a report detailing the legal standards the agencies use when
they eavesdrop on American citizens. A similar amendment has also been
passed by the United States Senate.
Barr's concerns were prompted by news reports indicating a system known
as Project Echelon is conducting massive interception of the private
phone calls, e-mails, faxes and data transmissions of American citizens.
"As advances make information much easier to acquire, store, and search,
we must make absolutely certain our legal structure develops in tandem
with our technological infrastructure. More importantly, Congress must
remain vigilant in ensuring government agencies adhere to existing laws
governing surveillance activities. These hearings will help reassure
the American public this is a responsibility Congress takes seriously,"
said Barr.
Barr, a former United States Attorney, serves on the House Banking,
Government Reform, and Judiciary Committees.
